Careers News

Here's a summary of the final 2025 Career News updates with the full Careers Newsletter below.

Items in the 7 November 2025 Career News include – 

• Dates to Diarise in Term 4
• Reminder: Key VTAC Dates
• Women of STEM Scholarships 2026
• Narrm Scholarship Program at the University of Melbourne
• Changes to Entry to the Bachelor of Laws at UNSW
• New Laws/Psychological Science Double Degree in 2026
• Chisholm Institute Hospitality Essentials for School Leavers
• Pathway to Federation University
• Pathway Options offered by UQ College
• Aviation courses in Victoria in 2025
• Snapshot of Holmesglen Institute in 2025

VTAC course application reminders for Year 12 students:

• In addition to meeting the Essential requirements, all compulsory course requirements for Year 12 applicants must be completed by the specified deadlines – these are listed under Course requirements in the VTAC Course description and summarised in the ‘Requirements checklist’ box (guidance on page 3 of this VTAC CourseSearch fact sheet).
• The Checklist on your VTAC account dashboard summarises the documents or evidence required for your course preferences. Note: this is not an exhaustive list as there may be other requirements and additional admissions criteria for your course preferences – students must visit VTAC CourseSearch to view the full list of requirements for each course.
• You can continue to add, remove or reorder courses (except for these early closing courses which cannot  be added after they have closed) in your VTAC course preference list up to 12noon on 13 December for first round offers released 23 December 2025 (see Change of Preference section at VTAC Important dates).
• Visit this New, cancelled and amended courses webpage to stay updated on changes to courses.
• Regularly check your VTAC account inbox, especially after making changes to your course preferences – carefully read all VTAC messages and follow their instructions to ensure you meet all requirements and your application is considered.
• Subscribe to the VTAC email updates and reminders and visit VTAC’s Help Centre foranswers to FAQs or to get in touch with VTAC for assistance.
• Continue to read my posts in the Careers channel on Teams for updates and refer to the ‘VTAC app info document’ for a summary of key details on applying through VTAC – students can contact me directly on Teams if still unsure on how to proceed. 

REMINDER: VTAC resources for Parents & Carers of Year 12 students:

• VTAC Important dates – applicants must submit applications, payment and required documentation on time to be eligible for course offers.
• VTAC Parents & Caregivers Guide: https://vtac.edu.au/guides/caregivers-guide 
• Free VTAC webinars: www.vtac.edu.au/events  – register for upcoming events and webinar recordings will be available to view on VTAC’s YouTube Channel. 
• This recording of the Applying for courses webinar covers all aspects for applying for courses through VTAC.

2025 School leaver toolkit 

Study Work Grow have created a School Leaver Toolkit filled with useful information and resources to help students prepare for life after school, no matter which pathway they plan to take. It includes:

• Planning post-school pathways
• Life admin basics
• Financial planning tips
• Advice on leaving home
• Having a plan B
• How to find help

There are also a variety of checklists and other resources to help students prepare themselves for what comes next. The below School Leaver Toolkit is designed to help young people prepare for life after school. It serves as a practical guide and useful resource for school leavers and their families.

Gap Year guide for students & their families

Thinking about taking a gap year? Study Work Grow has created a helpful guide on gap years to support school leavers and their families in planning a meaningful year ahead. Explore the below Gap Year Guide to learn about:

• What a gap year is
• Whether a gap year is right for you
• The benefits of a gap year
• Steps to plan and fund your gap year
• Gap year options and inspiration
• What comes next

It also comes with a set of resources that can be printed or filled out digitally to help students with budgeting and planning for their gap year. Because international travel conditions can change, it’s important to do your own research and contact organisations directly to confirm the most up-to-date information.

Projects Abroad gap year opportunities for 2026-2027

Projects Abroad run a range of gap year programs that may be of interest to school leavers and university students seeking service or cultural immersion experiences. Some fixed-date group programs are available for participants to travel with others of a similar age, taking place in locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America at different times throughout the year, for periods of approximately four to 12 weeks. These programs are designed around cultural immersion and purposeful travel experiences. Further details can be found in the Projects Abroad Gap Year Programs 2026–2027 brochure.

ANU Tuckwell Scholarship for 2027 – information for current Year 11 students

Australian National University (ANU) launched the Tuckwell Scholarship Program in 2013. The Tuckwell Scholarship is one of Australia’s most transformational undergraduate scholarships, offering 25 exceptional school leavers each year the opportunity to study at ANU while receiving financial support, personal development, and enrichment opportunities. Scholars are chosen for their intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in Australia.

All eligible applicants are considered against four criteria:

1. Academic potential and achievements;
2. Other significant achievements of any type;
3. Demonstration of the Tuckwell Attributes; and
4. Connection and commitment to Australia.

Although applications open on 2 March 2026 and close on 13 April 2026, current Year 11 students who are interested in studying at ANU and believe they meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria are encouraged to look through the Tuckwell Scholarship website and visit the How to Apply information to learn more.

Whitehouse Institute of Design Creative Illustration Workshop – Saturday 22 November

This hands-on workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of illustration as a visual communication tool. Participants will experiment with drawing, composition, and storytelling through image-making before developing their own texture swatch using mixed-media materials. The session encourages creative exploration, cross-disciplinary thinking, and helps build folio-ready work to support future study in design.

The workshop focuses on the following areas of skill development:

• Illustration and composition techniques
• Visual storytelling and creative expression
• Mixed-media and texture experimentation
• Developing an individual design aesthetic
• A4 textile development swatch

At the end of this workshop, participants will have created original visual work suitable for inclusion in a creative portfolio and will receive a Certificate of Completion. For details on cost and to book tickets click here.

Whitehouse Institute of Design Basics of Studio Lighting and Fashion Photography – Saturday 22 November 

This is a hands-on 1-day workshop designed for aspiring photographers eager to learn the fundamentals of camera settings, studio lighting, and fashion photography. Whether you're just starting out or looking to strengthen your technical foundation, this workshop will guide you through the essentials – from mastering manual mode to setting up professional lighting and capturing dynamic fashion portraits. Perfect for beginners looking to expand into the world of studio and fashion photography.

At the end of this workshop, participants will have created an original digital A4 editorial magazine applying images shot in the workshop. Layout, typography, flow and narrative will be exemplified via double page spreads. Students will also receive a Certificate of Completion. For details on cost and to book tickets click here.

LCI Melbourne webinar: Build Your Own Fashion Brand – Thursday 27 November at 6pm

An online event for students curious about fashion design or starting their own label. Hear from LCI’s Head of Fashion and Head of Business and Innovation, who will share how creative direction and business strategy come together when developing a brand. Joined by LCI student, Bryanah D’Costa, fresh from winning second place at Vogue Emerging Designer Award. Go here for event details and to register.

Making confident career choices at results time – Tuesday 2 December at 6pm

The end of year can be an anxious time for senior secondary students as they take their final exams, wait for their results, and think about what the future holds. Some will celebrate, some will be disappointed, and many will feel uncertain about what it all means. Many of you will second-guess your decisions and wonder if you should change your plans and preferences.

Join this webinar to hear from myfuture's career development expert, Dr Michael Healy, for tips on:

• How to make sense of what your results mean for you.
• How to deal with second thoughts.
• How to change your plans (and decide if you really need to).
• What kinds of options you have.
• Where to go for help if you need it.

These tips will help you to make stronger career decisions and approach the next chapter of your journey with confidence. This webinar is designed for students in senior secondary school, but is suitable for parents too. If you can't make it to the live webinar, register anyway, and you will be sent a recording to watch later. Register here.

Australian Volunteers Program Online Info Session – Tuesday 2 December at 6:30pm

Join this online event to learn how you can support overseas organisations to achieve locally led, development goals. The Australian Government has supported skilled Australians to volunteer overseas for over 65 years. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and a range of volunteering modalities are available; in-country, hybrid and remotely from home.

In this online information session you’ll:

• Meet Australian Volunteers Program staff who will share insights about the program and the application process
• Gain an understanding of the support that the program provides to volunteers such as allowances, flights and visa support.
• Hear from former volunteers who will share their experience on assignment and give you a glimpse of what life is like as a volunteer.

Australian volunteers come from a broad range of sectors, contributing the specific skills and experience required to support our partners. People with disabilities, couples, people with children, the LGBTQIA+ community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to attend. Everyone is welcome but registration is essential. Register here.